for $899.99. (I did a quick search on the internet and
found similar or lesser items for three times as
much. I even saw the Kirkland Signature cheese
wheel being sold in an online auction for several
hundred dollars more.)

Detergent, wipes—Howard Behrens?

Along with the day-to-day items you can add to
your online shopping cart, Costco has been quietly
selling ;ne art by current and past masters, as well
as pop culture art.

“Our aim is to cover a
wide range of interests,
from younger demographics who appreciate storytelling art and collectible characters, such as
Disney, to seasoned collectors who follow the
careers of artists,” says Darren Heiserman, director
of publishing for Harvest Fine Art, one of Costco’s
;ne-art suppliers.

Members can ;nd Over Volcanoes, an original
painting by Johnny Botts of San Francisco, limited-edition pieces by Steve Quartly and reproductions of works of Howard Behrens, known as one of
America’s top artists for more than a quarter of a
century before his passing in 2014.

“;e program we designed delivers established
works of art at wholesale prices to members,”
Heiserman says. “We have sold original paintings by
artists Stephen Holland and Howard Behrens,
which have ranged from $10,000 to $25,000.”

Build a barn in your backyard

You may not be able to buy your princess a real
live pony on Costco.com, but you can buy a barn
to keep it in. Barn Pros o;ers manufactured building kits, constructed of western red cedar and
Douglas fir, with different sizes and styles and
optional horse stall packages available. All can be
customized and can be delivered in as little as four
weeks, ready for assembly.

“We sell in every state,” says Justin Harries, general manager of Barn Pros, located in Monroe,
Washington. “We have sold structures all around
the world.

“A lot of the people who are buying these struc-tures convert them into man caves, woman caves,garages, wedding venues [and] wineries,” Harriessays. “;ere’s almost an endless use of these struc-tures. I really don’twant the member to feelthat what we sell is just ahorse barn. These are barn-style or barn-inspired structures,but the truth is you can turn them intoanything you want.”

Big bling

Most members already know that, throughout
the year, Costco.com carries lots of great jewelry,
watches and the like. But buyers also add new one-of-a-kind pieces daily, such as rings, earrings, bracelets and necklaces, to its selection.

Past o;erings have included a $1 million diamond ring carried in 2011 and an 18.8-carat faint
pink diamond in 2012 for $2.3 million (a bargain, as
it was appraised at $3 million!).

Available at this magazine’s
press time is a one-of-a-kind 4.7-
carat cushion-cut natural Colombian
emerald and diamond 18-karat gold
ring valued at $132,290 (o;ered for

$99,999), an emerald-cut and round
brilliant 8. 25 ctw pair of earrings for
$66,999, a round pink sapphire and
diamond platinum bracelet for $67,999
and a 5. 43 ctw emerald-cut diamond
ring for $219,999 (valued at $346,665).
The likelihood of selling these
items? Costco CFO and executive vice
president Richard Galanti says the company sells 100,000 carats of diamonds a year, including several stones in the $100,000 to $200,000 range.

“We have 87 million cardholders,” he says. “And
all you need is one.” C

OUR DIGITAL EDITIONS

Click here to see one of Barn Pros’ customers.

(See page 10 for details.)

THE HOLIDAYSAT COSTCO.COM

BARNPROSHARVESTFINEARTAS YOU DO your holidayshopping, be sure to visit
Costco.com. It’s a great placeto find all the major itemson your gift lists, such aselectronics, gift baskets, toys,apparel, handbags, sportinggoods and tickets, to namejust a few. And you can orderall these gifts in the comfortof your own pajamas.

Also, keep an eye outfor special promotions on
Costco.com leading upto and on Thanksgiving(November 24) throughCyber Monday (November
28). And once again, thepopular 12 Days ofChristmas Dealscampaign returns(December 1through December 12).During the campaign,four new deals plus onetravel deal will be announcedvia email daily. If you sign upfor regular emails through
Costco.com, these holidaypromotions will be deliveredto your inbox.—CG